What are Role of PET scan in Renal Cancer: Uses, Preparation, Procedure & Cost

Kidneys are part of human excretory system. They play a major role in the removal of toxins and metabolites from our body through the formation of urine.

What is Renal cancer?

Kidneys are part of human excretory system. They play a major role in the removal of toxins and metabolites from our body through the formation of urine. Apart from excretion, kidneys also perform other functions such as:

Erythropoietin production in response to hypoxia that stimulates RBCs formation in the bone marrow.
Regulation of blood pressure by RAAS.
Maintain acid-base balance
Conversion of Vitamin D to its active form Calcitriol.
Regulate plasma osmolarity.

Cancerous growth in the kidneys is known as renal cancer. There are several risk factors for the development of renal carcinoma. Incidence varies with geographical location.

What Are the Symptoms of Renal Cancer?

Renal cancer is often asymptomatic in early stages. However, depending upon the type of renal cancer, exact location, stage of tumor or its metastasis to distant sites, Various symptoms or sign may be seen that includes:

Abdominal mass/lump
Flank pain
Back pain
Hematuria
High blood pressure
Fever
Night sweats
Anorexia
Weight loss
Lethargy
Weakness
Persistent cough
Palpable neck lymph nodes
Bilateral edema in legs
Bone pain
Varicocele
Paraneoplastic syndromes including:
1. Hypercalcemia
2. Polycythemia
3. Cushing’s syndrome
4. Anemia
5. Coagulopathy
6. Hypertension
7. Vasculopathy
8. Amyloidosis
9. Galactorrhea
10. Liver dysfunction.

What Are the Uses of PET Scan in Renal Cancer?

Malignant cells demonstrate altered growth and metabolism. PET scan is used for the assessment and evaluation of metabolic and biochemical properties of tissues or organ. It is indicated for the following purpose in renal cancer:

To evaluate the degree of tumor differentiation.
Cancer re-staging: In case of recurrence of cancer post treatment.
Detection of metastases: Secondary malignant growths at distant site from primary tumours is known as metastases. PET scan plays a crucial role in the identification and localization of metastases.
To monitor effectiveness of treatment.
To evaluate the prognosis in renal cancer patients.
To check for cancer recurrence after treatmento differentiate benign or bland emboli from tumor thrombosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

How to Prepare for PET Scan in Renal Cancer?

Follow these steps if you are going for a PET scan:

Get an appointment: Schedule your appointment in a diagnostic center having the facility of PET scan as it is available in limited centers. Prior appointment also saves your time by avoiding waiting at the time of scan.
Fasting: 6-7 hours fasting is required before PET test.
Caffeine: For 24-hours before the scan, avoid caffeinated products.
Medications: Certain drugs may alter test results. Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements that you are currently taking.
Clothing: Wear clothes as comfortable as possible and that are easy to put on and off.
Exercise: Don’t perform any strenuous exercise for 24-hours prior to your test.
Smoking and tobacco: On the day of your scan, don’t smoke or chew tobacco products as nicotine present in these substances causes vasoconstriction and may alter the test results.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tell your doctor about pregnancy if you are pregnant or if you breastfed your baby so that your doctor can evaluate the risk vs benefit ratio.
Allergy: Inform your Clinician about prior history of allergy to any drug or medications.
Medical reports: Don’t forget to carry all relevant medical reports along with you while going for PET scan. These reports may aid in better evaluation of your condition.
Implants: Inform your doctor about any implant in your body such as cardiac implant, inner ear implants, metallic dentures, neurostimulators or any type of hearing aids etc.
Claustrophobia and anxiety: If you have claustrophobia or anxiety disorder then don’t hesitate to tell your doctor. He may give you sedative or some alternatives to help overcome this while performing test.
Take a company: Get accompanied by a friend or family member to have mental, emotional and physical support and to drive you home.

What Is the Procedure for PET Scan in Renal Cancer?

The procedure of PET scan includes the following steps:

Written consent is required before the procedure begins.
You will be asked to change your clothes and wear a gown provided by the technician assisting the procedure.
You will be asked to remove all the metallic elements like jewellery, hearing aids, metallic hair clips, metallic underwired bras, wallets, keys, coins, cards containing metallic strips, belts, goggles etc.
An intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical agent usually FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is given to you.
You will be then asked to sit quietly for about an hour to allow the radiotracer agent to get distributed to your body tissues and organs via bloodstream. The radioactive agent gets accumulated in areas of high metabolic activity such as cancerous tissues.
If PET-CT is being scheduled then you may get another intravenous injection of a contrast agent which yield high clarity images on CT scan.feel more comfortable.
If you have Claustrophobia or anxiety disorder, then you may be given sedatives or some other alternatives to make you feel comfortable during the scan.
Before scan, your assisting Doctor will explain about all the possible adverse effects of using radiopharmaceutical or contrast material such as itching, rash, swelling etc. Your KFT report will be required to rule out any kidney disease/pathology and to check your GFR.
Then you will be asked to lie supine on the examination table which will slide and place you inside the scanner.
You need to lie still during the procedure as body movements may interfere with the quality of images produced.
Your Radiologist will take several images to evaluate the underlying pathology and at the end these images will be interpreted for making a definite diagnosis.

What Happens After PET Scan?

Once the imaging is over you may be allowed to exit the scanner room and asked to wait in the observation room for some time, to check for any possible side effect of radioactive or contrast agent being used. You should drink water to clear out the radiotracer or contrast agent from your body.

Cost of PET Scan for Renal Cancer in Delhi?

Price of PET scan generally varies with city and location. Various diagnostic and imaging centers charges differently according to the quality of machines they provide and the offers currently availing in them. PET scan charges also vary with the body part which need to be examined and the type of PET scan.

PET scan test is an advanced diagnostic and monitoring tool that is available at limited diagnostic centers as it requires costly and modern equipments and skilled Radiologists to perform the scan.

To choose the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Delhi. Click here!

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is now offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan test.

Various PET scan prices at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC)are as following:

For more details, click here!

To avail free consultation with Pathologist. Click here!

To avail free consultation with Radiologist. Click here!

Best Diagnostic Center for PET Scan?

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is considered as the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Rohini, Delhi. We have many branches in different locations of Delhi including Hari Nagar, Yamuna Vihar, Nangloi, Derawal Nagar and Mangol puri.

We are having the facility of different types of PET scan including:

FDG-PET Scan

F-18 Choline PET Scan

Whole Body PET Scan

Brain PET Scan

PSMA PET Scan For Prostate

Dopa Brain PET Scan

PET Viability Scan Cardiac

Cardiac PET Scan

DOTA PET SCAN

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Center is a NABH and NABL accredited top diagnostic center situated in ROHINI and various other locations of Delhi. It is equipped with modern, highly expensive machines with latest cutting-edge technologies and highly skilled Radiologists and Pathologists.

Currently, we are offering a 50% discount on all types of PET scan. We are open 24X7 and 365 days. You can also get free online or offline Consultation with our Senior Radiologist, Dr. Ravin Sharma regarding any imaging and scanning test.

We also offer facilities of online reporting, free home sample collection and free Ambulance services in Delhi, NCR.

For more details visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) today or call us now!

Hurry! Grab the best deals now

FAQs Related to Renal Cancer & PET scan:

What Are the Risk Factors for Renal Cancer?

There are several risk factors for the development of renal cancer including:

Family history of renal cancers
Smoking
Male sex
Obesity
Certain chemical exposure such as trichloroethylene
Certain analgesics
High blood pressure
Patients on long term dialysis.
Diseases such as:
1. Chronic kidney disorders
2. Hepatitis C
3. Thyroid cancer
Previous history of:
1. Bladder cancer
2. Cervical cancer
3. Testicular cancer.
Genetic causes:
1. WAGR syndrome
2. VHL (Von Hippel Lindau) syndrome
3. Hereditary papillary renal cell cancer
4. Birt Hogg Dube syndrome
5. Tuberous sclerosis
6. Cowden syndrome
7. Hereditary leiomyoma-renal cell carcinoma.

Types of Renal Cancer?

Histologically, there are several types of renal or kidney cancer such as:

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) including:
1. Papillary RCC
2. Clear cell RCC
3. Chromophobe RCC
4. Renal medullary carcinoma
5. Mixed epithelial stromal tumor
6. Xp11 translocation cancer
7. Carcinoma of the collecting ducts of bellini.
Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC)
Wilms tumor
Renal sarcoma
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma.

How Is Screening Done for Renal Cancer?

Screening tests are used to screen or look for renal cancer before the appearance of signs and symptoms. Screening is done through ultrasound and CT scan in people belonging to the high-risk group for renal cancer especially those with family history of renal cancer. It helps in early screening and determine the need of further testing if reports are abnormal. However, routine screening tests for early identification are not available.

Whereas, diagnostic tests are performed when you have sign or symptoms of renal cancer or if the screening tests are found to be suspicious or abnormal.

How Is Renal Cancer Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of renal malignancy is done using combination of multiple tests that includes:

Blood examination:
- CBC (Complete blood count)
Urine examination
Histopathological examination:
- Tissue biopsy
Imaging tests:
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- CT scan
- PET scan.

What Is the Prognosis of Renal Cancer?

Prognosis of renal cancer is usually good and depends upon many variables such as:

Type of renal malignancy
Stage of tumor
Response to treatment
Patient age
Presence of Co-morbid conditions
Metastasis.

What Is the Survival Rate of Renal Cancer?

The 5-year survival rate of renal cancer depending upon the sub-type, patients’ age, stage of cancer, grade of cancer, extent of invasion or metastasis are as following:

5-year survival rate in case of localized renal cancer is 93%.
5-year survival rate in case of local metastasis to regional lymph nodes or adjacent areas is 72%.
In case of distant metastasis, the 5-year survival rate is 15%.

How to Prevent Renal Cancer?

Protective factors that may lower the risk of renal cancers includes:

Cessation of smoking
Maintain normal BMI
Limit exposure to trichloroethylene at workplace
Control blood pressure
Diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Less intake of fat
Avoid analgesic overuse.

How Is Renal Cancer Treated?

Treatment options available for the management of renal cancer includes:

Surgery.
Chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy.
Immunotherapy.
Targeted therapy.

Any combination of the above treatments.

How Much Time Taken During PET Scan for Renal Cancer?

The whole procedure of PET scan takes approximately 2 hours. Up to 60 minutes are required to begin the scanning procedure after giving an intravenous radioactive agent. However, the actual process of PET scan takes approx. 30-40 minutes.

Also, it may last longer depending upon the severity of your illness and associated co-morbid conditions.

How Much Time It Takes for PET Scan Report of Renal Cancer?

PET scan is a safe procedure. The radioactivity in the radioactive drug is very low, also it doesn’t stay for longtime in your body. Drinking water can flush the radioactive agent faster from your body.

Risks/Side Effects of PET Scan in Renal Cancer?

PET scan is a safe procedure. The radioactivity in the radioactive drug is very low, also it doesn’t stay for longtime in your body. Drinking water can flush the radioactive agent faster from your body.

However, some risks/side effects about PET scan are as following:

Allergic reactions to the radiotracer or contrast agent, although rare but can happen in some individuals. However, these allergic reactions are usually mild.
Diabetic patients have low levels of insulin (help in transport of glucose across cells). Insulin deficiency may lead to low absorption of FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) which may alter test results. So, inform your doctor before test.

Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid certain medications and test for the safety of baby. Ask your doctor before undergoing PET scan.